Wallpaper perforator



May 31, 1949. L. T. MERRICK 2,471,763

WALLPAPER PERFORATOR Filed Feb. 1'7, 1947 INVENTOR. 54 44 20/7 Z Mar/0k ATTORNEY.

Patented May 31, 1949 UNITED STATES-PATENT OFFICE WALLPAPER PERFORATOR Layton T. Merrick, Kansas City, Mo.

Application February 1'7, 1947, Serial No. 728,996

This invention relates to a device for puncturing or otherwise forming openings in wall paper when the same is to be removed from a wall upon which it has been placed and has for its primary aim the provision of a wall paper perforator that is simple and easy to operate, inexpensive to manufacture and highly effective in performing the functions which it is intended to perform.

It is well known by those skilled in this art that one of the most difficult problems encountered when a home or the like is to be redecorated is that of removing wall paper which has become tightly engaged with the wall upon which it has been hung. This is particularly true when this wall paper has been covered with a coat of paint or the like and even after the application of water or steam, scraping such old paper from the wall presents a very difficult task.

It is the most important object of this invention, therefore, to provide a device for easily and quickly puncturing a large number of small holes in the paper either prior to or subsequent to application of steam or water thereto, to the end that the moisture will enter such perforations and aid in the loosening of the same to facilitate removal.

An important object of this invention is to provide a wall paper perforator having a frame provided with a rotatable drum, which drum includes a number of spaced apart discs, each having a number of sharp cutting points on its peripheral edge, to the end that as the same is applied to the wall paper and moved thereacross,

perforations will be formed therein.

Other objects of this invention include a number of cylindrical members interposed between the aforesaid discs to hold the same in spaced apart relation; the way the above mentioned frame includes a shaft for mounting the drum; and a substantially U-shaped handle extending outwardly from the shaft through the spacers forming a part of the drum.

Many minor objects will be made clear during the course of the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a wall paper perforator made in accordance with my present invention, parts being broken away to reveal details of construction.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken on irregular line II-II of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is a stretched out view of certain of the component parts of the perforator.

1 Claim. (Cl. 164-123) In the drawing the numeral Ill designates broadly a frame, including a substantially U- shaped handle l2 and a shaft M. The free ends of each of the legs of the U-shaped handle I2 are rebent upon themselves in encircling relation with respect to shaft 14 and intermediate the ends thereof, as at IS. A number of discs 18, having central openings 20 formed therein, are threaded upon the shaft l4 through the medium vof such openings 21] and a plurality of spacers 22 are interposed between the discs 18, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1. These spacers 22 are substantially cylindrical and have a. diameter slightly less than the diameter of, the discs l8. The bottom wall 24 is formed in each of the spacers 22 within which is centrally formed an opening 26 for' receiving the shaft [4. A pair of washers 28 on each end of the shaft [4 cooperate with riveted ends 30 of shaft I4 in holding the disc l8 and the spacers 22 in place. All of the parts just mentioned, including shaft [4, discs I8, spacers 22 and washers 28, constitute a rotatable drum broadly designated by numeral 32. Two of the spacers 22 have their side walls slotted as at 34 for receiving the legs of the handle l2, which project radially outwardly from the shaft [4. All the discs l8 are free to rotate upon the shaft I4 as are all the spacers 22, except the aforesaid two spacers 22 having slots 34 formed therein.

These discs 18 each have their peripheral edge formed to present a number of sharp prong-like cutting points 36. These cutting points 36 are formed by cutting a number of depressions 38 in the discs l3 extending radially inwardly from the peripheral edge thereof. These depressions 38 and the cutting points 36 may be formed either by stamping the discs :8 through use of a suitable die or by molding the same if such is desired.

It is readily understood that as the operator grasps handle [0 and moves the perforator into position Where the cutting points 36 are in engagement with wall paper 40 on wall 42 and moves the same thereacross, a large number of perforations will be cut into the paper 40. This operation may take place either after the paper 40 has been steamed or moistened by application of water and when the perforations are so formed, this moisture will enter therethrough and by capillary attraction th paper 40 will become entirely saturated to a point where the same becomes easily removable.

It is clear from the foregoing that the wall paper perforator just described may be manufactured at a very small cost and when assembled,

presents an extremely sturdy structure that is not likely to become damaged through use or become maladjusted. The cutting points 36 may well be sharpened from time to time but in view of the cheapness of manufacture, it is contemplated that the discs is be replaced or a new perforator substituted for the worn out device.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, I am aware that many modifications can be made therein by any persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope thereof as expressed in the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

A wall paper perforator of the kind specified comprising a frame; and a drum rotatably carried by the frame, said drum including a number of discs each provided with space cutting points along its peripheral edge, said frame comprising a shaft rotatably mounting the drum, and a handle on the shaft intermediate the ends thereof, said handle being substantially U-shaped and having the free ends of its legs attached to the shaft, said discs being threadably mounted on the shaft and having spacing members therebetween, two of said members having openings f or receiving the said legs of the handle.

LAYTON T. MEBRICK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 2,435,349 Hall Feb. 3, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 61,142 Switzerland Aug. 15; 1912 77,267 Germany 1894 

